Trustees (L4L)

This is the public library development page for the Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). It is full of absolutely essential information for trustees and librarians. Here's where you can find the latest information on library-related legislation, library automation, librarian certification, statistics, LSTA grant money, county planning, and much more. It includes a very comprehensive list of links of interest to librarians and trustees.

The following links from the DPI site will be of particular interest to library trustees:

The single most important document for trustees to be familiar with. This newly-revised handbook covers the basic information needed by trustees to serve their community effectively. It can be used to orient new trustees. In addition, each of the chapters (Essentials) can help structure short continuing education sessions during regular board meetings because even experienced trustees (and directors!) benefit from a review of the issues essential to library board operations and trustee duties.

"This page provides an index to questions from library trustees that have been published, along with answers, in issues of Channel, the bimonthly newsletter of the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (DLTCL). Also included are links to articles on library law and administration relevant to public library trustees and library directors." A great way to find answers to the most commonly asked library administration questions!

The Wisconsin Library Trustee Resource Page provides tools and resources of value to trustees. Some of these are trustee training modules (see below), state statistics, and library director certification.

Library Board Powers and Duties [pdf]
This is the first in a series of trustee training modules. The modules are short enough that they can be used during a library board meeting for a brief review of issues of importance to library trustees. They also can be used for one-on-one or self-directed training.

These manuals and handbooks are valuable resources for trustees and library directors in Wisconsin. It's important to remember that circumstances vary from state to state, so no one should assume that everything in these manuals is applicable in Wisconsin. This is particularly true in relation to laws, board organization, and finances. At the same time there is a great deal of information that is relevant, either directly or as a comparison to "the way we do things."

Some chapters: trustees' rights and responsibilities; board organization and policymaking; library planning, role setting, and budgeting; the library director; intellectual freedom; public relations and trustees.

This has served as a model for trustee manuals produced by other states. Some sections: becoming a trustee, policy making (Basics of Policy Making and Types of Library Policies: External and Internal), personnel, finances, legal responsibilities of governing boards, library planning, trustees and the political process (Lobbying and The ABC's of Lobbying for Library Trustees), public relations, Friends of the Library. The Appendix contains some interesting documents, e.g., Eleven Points to Effective Lobbying, Ethics Statements for Public Library Trustees, and Golden Rules for Board Members.

What I like about this Handbook is the combination of clear writing and brevity, as well as its practicality. There are useful lists and examples, including tips and questions for the Board to ask itself. Some chapters: Library Planning, Planning Library Buildings, Effective Policy Making, and Personnel Practices.

This 31-page how-to manual was put together by a group of Michigan libraries in Spring 2005 as a tool for library boards undertaking their most important responsibility, hiring a director. Topics addressed include having an interim plan, deciding whether to use a consultant, the budget, salary and benefits, legal issues, selling the position and the community, advertising and posting the job, selecting candidates, checking references, and interviewing and evaluating candidates. The appendices offer a sample job description, sample job posting, sample interview questions, and a short bibliography. Highly recommended. See also Trustee Essentials #5.

COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) has put together this thorough guide intended for use by library board members needing to hire a new director. Includes a checklist, timeline for hiring a new director, sample job descriptions, job ads, interview questions, reference check forms and sample offer letters.

Useful to complement local planning, the Standards help you see the current condition of the library and define possible areas to improve. Each public library has received two printed copies, but you may download a copy for yourself, or write for a copy from:

The guide and a list of frequently asked questions, prepared and newly revised by the Department of Justice, are available at this site. You may want to look, as well, at Open Meetings Law and Library Board Closed Sessions and the League of Municipality's FAQ on the open meetings law.

From the Library of Michigan. An extremely useful manual that includes chapters on accounting for libraries, fund balance/net assets, budgeting, financial reporting, property taxes, state funded revenue, investments, financing, audit process, internal control, and GASB43 for libraries. Remember that this material is written for Michigan residents, but much of it is useful for anyone seeking to understand financial management better, e.g., the modified accrual method of accounting, types of budgets, sample financial reports, and a questionnaire that will help you determine whether your internal controls are weak or could be improved.

This organization, formerly the Center for NonProfit Boards, is dedicated to "building strong and effective nonprofit boards." It has some excellent publications. Note especially the Board Q&As, where you'll find questions and answers on issues relevant to all kinds of nonprofit boards. Remember, this is not library specific or Wisconsin specific, so you'll need to evaluate whether and how the information you get here is relevant to your situation.